It is quite a few years since I've sailed on the Balmoral and
I'd seen her a couple of years earlier when she was long berthed in
Bristol Docks. So, it was lovely to watch her coming into
Ilfracombe for the cruise along the Dorset and Somerset coast. Once
all the passengers from Porthcawl had disembarked for their
afternoon in Ilfracombe we were quickly off in pursuit of coastal
scenery and wildlife.

Heading towards Porlock with the weather behind us it was a warm
and enjoyable cruise with plenty of dramatic cliffs and picturesque
bays to admire. Bird life was fairly sparse but a few Gannet (which
seemed to be all adults), juvenile gulls, Fulmar and occasional
Manx Shearwater were seen. Manx Shearwater nest around the
British coast, then leave their nest sites in July before heading
down to the South-American coast for the winter.

Fulmar (Mike Bailey)

Once in Porlock Bay the Balmoral turned around and headed back
to Ilfracombe. After this change of direction (because we were now
heading into the weather) it seemed breezier and cooler so people
migrated from the bow to the stern where it was more sheltered.

On this return leg just off Watermouth Castle we finally saw
some Gannet feeding activity. Through the binoculars underneath the
feeding Gannet, I could see the unmistakable profile of a surfacing
Harbour Porpoise and then a brief glimpse of another closer to us.
Some Gannet moved closer to the Balmoral in pursuit of fish and
other passengers spotted porpoise that I missed, giving a total of
six animals seen in this area.

Harbour Porpoise (Pete Howlett)

All this feeding activity reminded me that I was also hungry so
I headed down to the dining saloon for some tasty hot soup.